Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have life-altering consequences. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Northbrook, IL, due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
The legal team at Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers is here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the justice you deserve. Brain injuries are complex and require experienced legal attention. With our dedicated support, you can focus on recovery while we handle the rest.
Contact our law office in Northbrook, Illinois, today at (844) 777-7708 to schedule a free case evaluation with a Northbrook brain injury lawyer. Our Northbrook brain injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis so you pay nothing out of pocket to get the legal representation you need.
How Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Brain Injury In Northbrook, IL
Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers has been helping injury victims for 32 years. With 64 years of combined experience and over $125 million recovered, our law firm has the experience and resources needed to see your case through to the end. Our Northbrook personal injury lawyers are committed to giving you the compassionate and rigorous representation you deserve.
When you choose our law firm to represent you after an accident in Northbrook, Illinois, our Northbrook personal injury attorneys will:
- Provide legal guidance at every step
- Conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties
- Collaborate with medical and financial experts to calculate your damages and prove the severity of your injury
- Gather and assess evidence necessary to prove liability
- Monitor deadlines and handle all legal paperwork and communications
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
When you work with us, you’ll have the guidance of a Northbrook brain injury attorney who understands the stakes and will fight tirelessly for you.
Overview Of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries occur when a sudden external force impacts the brain. They are a subset of acquired brain injuries (ABIs) but differ from non-traumatic injuries, such as those caused by stroke or infection.
TBIs are categorized by severity as mild, moderate, or severe. However, any brain injury can have a significant impact on your life.
What Are Common Types Of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries come in many forms with wide-ranging effects depending on the severity, type of brain damage, and affected regions of the brain.
Common types of TBI include:
- Concussions or mild TBI
- Intracranial hematoma, a localized from a bleeding blood vessel
- Cerebral hemorrhage is a type of stroke common after an accident caused by a burst blood vessel
- Coup injuries, or lesions below the site of impact to the head
- Contrecoup injuries, lesions opposite the site of impact
- Coup-contrecoup injuries, a TBI with both a coup and contrecoup lesion
- Diffuse axonal injuries (DAI), severe TBIs caused by the shearing of the brain’s axons due to rapid, twisting movement
- Anoxic and hypoxic injuries or brain damage caused by inadequate oxygen. They are often secondary to other TBIs.
In addition to severity, brain injuries may be categorized as primary or secondary. A primary TBI occurs at the time of the initial injury. A secondary brain injury refers to brain damage caused by a cascade of changes in the brain after an initial TBI. Secondary brain damage is the leading cause of death for people hospitalized for a brain injury.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Brain Injury?
The symptoms of traumatic brain injuries vary based on severity and the part of the brain affected.
Common signs of a mild TBI are:
- Headache
- Confusion or “brain fog”
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Memory loss, particularly short-term memory impairment
- Vomiting or nausea
- Sensitivity to light and/or noise
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Loss of consciousness lasting seconds
A brain injury can happen even without a blow to the head or the loss of consciousness.
Signs of a moderate to severe TBI include:
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Unequal or dilated pupils
- Doubled or blurry vision
- Profound confusion
- Loss of consciousness lasting minutes or hours
- Coma
If you suspect you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away. Prompt medical care can reduce the risk of secondary brain damage.
What Are The Potential Long-Term Consequences Of A Brain Injury?
Brain injuries often lead to significant long-term effects, including invisible consequences.
A moderate and severe traumatic brain injury is a lifelong condition that may lead to:
- Cognitive challenges
- Emotional changes
- Physical effects and limitations
- Social difficulties
- Reduced life expectancy
According to the CDC, about 50% of people with a moderate to severe TBI experience further decline or die within five years, while only 26% experience an improvement. Among those who are still alive after five years, 57% have moderate to severe disability, and 55% are unemployed but were working when they were hurt. About one-third need help with everyday activities, and 29% are not satisfied with life.
Even mild TBIs or concussions can lead to complications such as post-concussion syndrome (PCS). Up to 10% of concussion victims experience symptoms lasting more than a year.
What Causes Most Brain Injuries In Northbrook?
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, the most common causes of traumatic brain injury are:
- Falls (47.9%)
- Struck by/against an object (17.1%)
- Motor vehicle accidents (13.2%)
- Assault (8.3%)
Young children, adolescents, and seniors are at the highest risk for TBI. Toddlers and the elderly are most likely to sustain a brain injury in a fall. Adults under 75 are more likely to suffer a TBI in a car crash, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, or other collision.
It’s believed that up to one-quarter of concussions happen in workplace accidents. These brain injuries are usually caused by falls, being struck by an object, heavy machinery, and motor vehicle crashes.
The construction industry had the highest rate of fatal TBIs, accounting for 24% of all work-related brain injury fatalities and one-quarter of construction deaths.
Sports and recreation are also major causes of TBIs, especially among children, teenagers, and college or professional athletes. Up to 10% of athletes suffer a concussion in any given season. Sports and recreational activities cause around 10% of all TBIs and about 21% of brain injuries in children.
What Is My Northbrook Brain Injury Case Worth?
Every case is unique, and many factors may affect what your case is worth, such as:
- The severity of your brain injury and other injuries
- The impact on your quality of life, independence, and daily life
- Your ability to return to your job or perform any work
- Your age at the time of your injury
- Evidence proving liability and your damages
- Available insurance coverage to pay for your damages
- Whether you share any fault for your accident
Our experienced legal team will carefully assess these factors and more to determine a fair value for your losses. We will seek the maximum compensation possible to secure your financial future and long-term medical needs.
What Types Of Compensation Are Available To Brain Injury Victims In Illinois?
Illinois law allows brain injury victims to seek two types of compensatory damages. These damages are monetary compensation intended to make you whole and compensate for your losses. Compensatory or actual damages come in two forms: economic (financial) damages and non-economic (intangible) damages.
You may recover compensation for damages such as:
- Medical bills and future medical expenses. This includes rehabilitation, psychological and physical therapy, assistive devices, and more.
- Lost income during your recovery
- Diminished or lost earning potential if you are unable to return to your job
- Property damage
- Necessary and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as housekeeping services and transportation to medical appointments
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering and mental anguish
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement and scarring
In Illinois, a spouse may pursue damages for loss of consortium for the serious injury their spouse has suffered.
A jury in Illinois may award punitive damages in limited cases. To recover punitive damages, you must show that the defendant’s behavior was willful and wanton, fraudulent, or intentional, not merely negligent.
Can I Still Recover Damages If I Am Partially To Blame For My Accident In Northbrook, Illinois?
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence doctrine to assign fault to each party. Under this rule, injured plaintiffs are entitled to recover compensation as long as they are 50% or less to blame. If 51% or more fault is assigned to you, you will be barred from any financial recovery.
If you are being blamed for your accident, it’s critical to consult with an experienced Northbrook brain injury lawyer.
How Long Do I Have To File A Brain Injury Lawsuit In Illinois?
You have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit and recover money after your accident. The Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline can bar you from recovering compensation from the at-fault party.
Contact Our Northbrook Brain Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Have you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in Northbrook, IL? You may be entitled to money, and you do not need to face the legal process alone. At Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers, we are prepared to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf to preserve your quality of life and financial security.
Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation with a Northbrook brain injury lawyer.